Airplane maneuvering apparatus



Sept. 26, 15933. J. WEISINGER E,928,19

AIRPLANE MANEUVERING APPARATUS u Filed June 25, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l pt 2, w33.' J'. MENGE@ wml AIRPLANE MANEUVERING APPARATUS Filed June 25, '1930 2 sheets-'sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY new sept. c, tess ante arranarps `lfosepli Weisinger, Newark, N. E.

Application .lune 23, 1935. Serial No. 62,98% 2li Cl. (Cl. 35-12) vide an apparatus, onwhich is mounted a model r reduced copy of an actual flying machine, made in accordance with standard practice of conventional types, theairplane being so mounted as to permit maneuvering of its several principal elements whereby a very complete knowledge of the action of the airplane under all circumstances can-be obtained. f

A further feature of the invention is in the provision of means for a beginner or prospective operator to raise and lower the airplane, kand operate the ailerons, rudder and elevators in the same manner that an actual full size machine would be operated, the controls being from a point remote from the airplane.

.another aim is to produce a model airplane actuating apparatus, so that a person may learn actuating a model, the demonstrative eects produced by movements of the motor, ailerons, elevators and rudder in a fail-ly comprehensive manner. f t

These and other important objects are accomplished by the design, construction and arrangenient of parts hereinafter described, forming a part of this disclosure, and shown in the accompanying drawings, and in which:-

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional View taken through an embodiment of the invention, showing thevairplane as resting on top of the structure.

l Figure 2 is a plan view ofA the same, parts y being broken away in order to disclose the con- Asectional view, showing the control means of the apparatus.

Figure 7 is a. transverse sectional view, taken on line '7-7 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a sectional view showing a modified form of counter-balancing means.

Referring to the drawings in greater detail.' a conventional type of airplane structure is disclosed, 'in which the numeral 10 designates in general a hollow body or fuselage -of the usual conical or' cigar shape, having at its front propellers 11 driven by motors 12, disposed at the front of the apparatus, between its upper and lower Wings, respectively 14 and 15, the latter ofwhich extends out in opposed pairs at the lower front portion of the fuselage, while the upper wings 15 extend similarly outward from the upper front end and are provided with ailerons 16.

Pairs of landing wheels 17' are carried by brackets 18 at the front, and at the rear is a tail skid 19 attached to the under side of the body, these elements resting normally on` the lsurface of a platform 20.

Hingedly engaged at the extreme rear of the body, is a vertical rudder 21, adapted to direct the nose of the plane in whatever direction it may kbe desired, and extending outwardly from the sides of the airplane tail are horizontal rudders or elevators 22. Y

Mounted transversely in the body of the airplane at a point well toward the front, is a sleeve 23, its extending ends being threaded to receive nuts 24 at each of its ends, whereby the sleeve may be adjusted longitudinally and clamped within the body.

Rotatably mounted, within the sleeve, are tubular members or sleeves 25 and 25' in which, in turn, is mounted a spindle 26, and set rigid cenit l,

trally of the spindle is a post 27 extending through an opening 23 in the sleeve 23.

Fixed in the sleeves 25, 25' at spaced distances from the post 2'7, are other posts, respectively 28 and 29, all these several posts being substantially of a uniform length.

Fixed in the other end of the sleeves 25, 25 are pins 30-31, respectively, the former of which has connected to its upwardly extending end a wire 32 extending rearwardly and attached at its end to a pin 33, set in the rudder 21 and by which the rudder `may be actuated.

Attachment to the other post 31 is a similar .wire 34, engaging a pin 35 fixed in the side of the elevators 22.

Set in the extending ends of the spindle 26 'are pins, respectively 36 and 37, connected by wires 38 with the ailerons 16,`one on leach side, whereby they may be operated in opposite directions in accordance with the turning movement of the spindle. t i

The platform 20 has an opening 20' through which extends a tube 40, having threaded on its.

upper end a generallyV conical cap 41 resting on the platform 20, and secured at its upper end is a plate 42 carrying a post 43 provided with an otlset element 44 on which is mounted a.

sharp pointed cone 45, the same being axial with Y arrangement being such that the cap and cond rudder bar'62, having an extending odset e1eI act in a manner similar to a knife edge permitting the fuselage to rotate and tilt in any direction thereon, being limited only by the angle o the cap with respect to the angleof the cone, and it will be understood that the cone is positioned so that the machine will balance very exactly on its point.

The platform 20 rests on a cabinet 48 having a level flooring 49, and arranged at the extreme opposite end of the cabinet is an operators seat Directly in front of the seat is a joy stick ,51, pivoted at`52 on a bracket 53, adjustable on a support 54 mounted in a rigid bracket' 55 secured to the flooring 49.

The sides 46 of the cabinet have set between them, at a point within the plane of the platform 20, 'an upright partition 57, and at the top an instrument board 58, one of the sides 56 carrying a rheostat 59, from which current is delivered through a conductor 60 which extends upward within the tube 40 to the motors l2 oi' the airplane, thus the motors can be operated at dierent speeds according to the position oi the rheostat control lever. A coin operating mech indicated at 59', is provided so that .by the insertion of a co'in'in a slot provided therefor, the lever arm 59" will be released.

In front of the ilxed bracket 55 is a post 6i., on which is pivotedly mounted a foot lever or ment 63, connected to awire 64, running through a Bowden casing 65, which is raised upwardly and supported on a pin carried in an upright bracket 61v and then depressed to enter the lower end of the tube 40, the end o2 the Bowden" wire being attached to the post whereby the airplane body may be swung. Sleeve 25 may be rotated andthe rudder 21 thereby in either direction.

Another Bowden wire 68 is attached at one end to a projection on the joy stick 51 and passes over the pin 66, thence upwardly through the tube `40 to be attached to the post 29, whereby the elevators 22 may be raised or depressed as required levers '7D-71, respectively upper and lower, these levers being pivoted` on the element 67 centrally the cabinet, and provided at the 'opposite ends with adjustable counterbalances 'I2 and 73. An

. adjustable spring normally under tension is attached to lever 70. The weight of the airplane is slightly greater than the counterbalancing' weight plus the force extended by the spring. under tension so that its normal position is rest- -ing on the platform 20. I

8 shows a modied form of counterbalancing means. Instead of the levers 'I0-'11,

counterbalancing weights 'I2-73 and spring 80,

the tube 40a is provided with a suitable float which is coniined within a oat chamber 83 containing Locatie ,a suitable liquid. Guide pins 82 are provided on the tube 40a to guide the latter within the oat chamber 83. In this modified form the Bowden" wires enter the tube 40a above the oat chamber. The weight of the model airplane, tube 40a and oat 81 is slightly greater than the weight or buoyant force of the displaced liquid so that normally the float is submerged within the oat chamber. When the motor propellers 11 are cause to function, the airplanes apparent" weight .diminishes and it slowly rises carrying with it the tube 40a and attached iloat 8l. This form of counterbalancing means aiords very fine adjustments of differences between the normal weight oi the airplane and its apparent" weight when the propellers are functioning.

Upon causing the motor to actuate the propel- 1ers the air current produced strikes the wings 14 and 15 producing an upward movement of the airplane, so that it is free of all supports, except the conical point on which it is accurately balanced, and when in this dying position, it will be obvious that an operator, by controlling the speed of the motors, the use of the rudder bar or joystick may actuate the rudders, elevators and ailerons, so that the model of the machine may to all intents and purposes represent the actions of a full sized ying machine.

Instead of the mechanical means hereinabove described for controlling the movements of the elevators, ailerons and rudder, other means, as for example electromagnetic means ma'y be employed, in which case the airplane would be provided with solenoids the current in which would be controlled by the movements of the joystick and rudder bar.

While I have shown and described certain embodimmts of this invention I am well aware that other merlicationsl may be made and I therefore desire a broad interpretation ofthe invention within the scope and spirit of the disclosure herein and the claims appended hereto.

By the use of the name Bowden casing or Bowden wire wherever it may appear in the speciilcation and appended claims, it is understood that I do not restrict myself to that particular asanywirereetoslidewithinacasingis contemplated andintended.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:-

l. In an apparatus for demonstrating model airplanes, a cabinet having a top platform on which the airplane normally rests, said airplane having amotordrivenpropellenelevators,ailerons and rudder, a conical support for said airplane at its center of equilibrium, said support being partially counterbalanced, 'means to actuate said propeller motor whereby the airplane is caused to rise, means to control the ailerons and elevators, .and means for actuating the rudder, in conformity 'with desired movements o! the airplane.

2. In an apparatus for demonstrating an airplane, said airplane having motor driven propeller, wings. ailerons, elevators, and rudder, a support for the airplane on which it is pivotaily mounted to dip in all directions, a counterbalance for said support, independent means mer associated with the ailerons and ele'- vators for actuating the ailerons and elevators, and therudder ot the airplane whereby it is caused to tilt and vrotate upon its central support.

8. In an apparatus for demonstrating model airplanes, a cabinet having a platform on which the .eno'rxnally rests. said airplane having a Leaders port, 'means to actuate said propeller motor whereby the airplane is caused to rise, a joystick, and a rudder bar remote from said airplane, means connecting said joystick with the elevators and ailerons independently, and means connecting said rudder bar with the rudder.

5. vIn an airplane maneuvering apparatus, a cabinet on which ,a model airplane may be mounted, a pivotal support at the center of equilibrium, said support being partially balanced with respect to the weight of the airplane, a series of freely encased control wires connecting respectively with 'the rudder, elevators and ailerons of the airplane,

means for actuating each of said wires, independently, means for actuating the propeller of the airplane, all of said means being remote from the airplane and accessible to an operator.

6. In combination, a model airplane having a rudder, ailerons and elevators, a pivotal support on which said airplane may rotate and tilt, afjoystick, and a rudder bar remote from said airplane, means connecting said joystick with the Aelevators and ailerons, independently, and means ',vators may be 4independently actuated.

13.. In combination, a model airplane having connecting said rudder bar with the rudder.

'7. In combination, a model airplane having a motor driven propeller, -a rudder, ailerons and elevators, a pivotal support on which said airplane may turn and tilt, a counterbalance for said support, said counterbalance comprising a iioat chamber, a liquid in the float chamber and a float attached to said support and normally submerged in said liquid, means to actuate said propeller motor whereby the airplane is caused to rise, a joystick and a rudder bar remote from said airplane, means connecting said joystick with the elevators and ailerons, independently, and means connecting said rudder bar with the rudder. Y

8. In combination, a model airplane having a rudder, ailerons and elevators, a support on which said airplane is mounted for universal movement, a counterbalance for said support, said counterbalance comprising a float chamber, and a float attached to said support and normally submerged in the float chamber, means to cause the air- .movement a counterbalance for said support,

means .to cause the airplane to rise, a joystick and a rudder bar remote from the airplane, means secured tothe airplane operatively connected with the. rudder, ailerons and elevators, independently, and means connecting said last mentionedmeans with the rudder bar and with the joystick for independent operation of the rudder, ailerons and elevators. y

l0. In combination, a model airplane having a rudder, ailerons and elevators, a floating support on which said airplane is mounted for universal movement, a counterbalance for said support, means to cause the airplane to rise, a joystick and a rudder bar remote -from the airplane, means in the airplane operatively connected with y the rudder, ailerons and elevators, independently,

and Bowden wires connecting said last mentioned means with the rudder bar and with the joystick for independentoperation of the rudder, ailerons and elevators.

11..In combination, a model airplane having a rudder, ailerons and elevators, a pivotal support on which said airplane may-turn and tilt, means in the airplane operatively connecting with-the elevators, ailerons and rudder, forin`v dependent movement of each thereof, a joystick and arudder bar remote from the airplane and Bowden wires connecting the rudder bar and the joystick separately with said means whereby the rudder, ailerons and elevators may be independently actuated. r

. 12. In combination a model airplane havin a rudder, ailerons and elevators, a support on which said airplane is mounted for universal K movement, a counterbalance for said support,y

said counterbalance comprising a oat chamber and a oat attached to said support and normally submerged in the iioat chamber, means to cause the airplane to rise, thereby permitting the support to ascend, means in the airplane operatively connecting with the elevators, ailerons and rudder, for independent the airplane, and Bowden wires y)connecting the rudder bar and the joystick, separately with said means whereby the rudder, ailerons and elea rudder, aileronsand elevators, a pivotal support on which said airplane may turn and tilt, a sleeve fixed in the airplane, said sleeve being provided with independently rotatable elements, connected respectively with the'i rudder, ailerons and' elevators, a joystick and a rudder bar remote from the airplane, and 4Bowde n wires connecting the rudder bar with the rotatable element connected with the rudder, the joystick with the rotatable element connected with the ailerons and the rotatable element connecte with the elevators, independently.

14. In combination, a pivotally supported miniature airplane, mechanism'for actuating the ailerons, elevators and rudder, independently, in conmovement f of each thereof, a joystick and a rudder bar remote from Y formity with desired movements of the' airplane,

said mechanism being directly operable from a point remote from the airplane.

15. In combination, a pivotally supported miniature airplane, and mechanism for actuating the rudder, ailerons and elevators of the airplane' 17. In combination, a model airplane having a propeller, va. rudder, ailerons and elevators, a pivotal support on which said airplane may turn and tilt, a counterbalance for said support, means to actuate said propeller whereby the airplane is caused to rise, mechanism `for actuating the ailerons, elevators and rudder, independently, in conformity with desired movements 'of the airplane,

' said mechanism being directly operable from a pellers to drive it,- a hand control for actuating said ailerons and elevators, and foot control for actuating said rudder, said hand and foot controls being remote from the airplane. Y

20. Incombination, a model airplane having an electrically motor driven propeller, a rudder, ailerons and elevators, a pivotal support on which said airplane may turn and tilt. a counterbalance for said support, means to'actuate said propeller motor whereby the airplane. is.. caused to rise, means to facilitate the support being raised when the propellers are in motion, and means mechanically associated with the rudder, ailerons and elevators to actuate each thereof.

JOSEPH WEISINGER. 

